Weapon Retrofitting Systems and Methods

ABSTRACT

A system allows remote triggering or firing of a weapon having a mechanical triggering or firing mechanism. The system can include at least one base, attachable to a weapon in a location adjacent a trigger of the weapon. At least one actuator is carried by the base, the actuator operable to engage the trigger of the weapon. At least one wireless controller is operable to actuate the actuator, the wireless controller being accessible by a system remote from the weapon.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/171,287, filed Feb. 9, 2021, which claims priority of and to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/975,091, filed Feb. 11, 2020,each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to systems that can be used toretrofit triggering mechanisms of weapons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the technology, a remotely fireableweapons system is provided, including a weapon having a trigger operableto fire the weapon when depressed, and a trigger guard enclosure atleast partially enclosing the trigger. A triggering system can becarried by the weapon and can include a first base segment that can bepositioned adjacent the trigger guard enclosure of the weapon. At leastone actuator can be carried by the first base segment and can beoperable to mechanically engage a forward portion of the trigger anddepress the trigger sufficiently to fire the weapon. At least onewireless controller can be operable to actuate the actuator, thewireless controller being accessible by a control system remote from theweapon.

In accordance with another aspect of the technology, a method ofretrofitting a weapon to allow remote triggering of the weapon isprovided. The method can include obtaining a weapon having a triggeroperable to fire the weapon when depressed, and a trigger guardenclosure at least partially enclosing the trigger. A triggering systemcan be associated with the weapon. The triggering system can include afirst and second base segment, positioned on adjacent sides of thetrigger guard enclosure and at least one actuator, carried by one of thefirst or second base segments, the actuator operable to mechanicallyengage a forward portion of the trigger and move the triggersufficiently to fire the weapon. At least one wireless controller can beoperable to actuate the actuator, the wireless controller beingaccessible by a control system remote from the weapon. The method caninclude activating the at least one wireless controller with the controlsystem to cause the actuator to depress the trigger to fire the weapon.

In accordance with another aspect of the technology, a kit is providedfor allowing retrofitting of a variety of hand-held weapons intoremotely fireable weapons, each of the hand-held weapons including atrigger and a trigger guard enclosure at least partially enclosing thetrigger. The kit can include a triggering system, configured to beattached to a weapon to allow remote triggering of the weapon. Thetriggering system can include a first base segment, positionableadjacent the trigger guard enclosure of the weapon and at least oneactuator, carried by the first base segment. The actuator can beoperable to mechanically engage a forward portion of the trigger anddepress the trigger sufficiently to fire the weapon. At least onewireless controller can be operable to actuate the actuator, thewireless controller being accessible by a control system remote from theweapon. A plurality of base plates can be provided, each attachable tothe first base segment. Each of the plurality of base plates can includea differing raised engagement shoulder, with each of the raisedengagement shoulders being configured to be fitted at least partiallywithin a trigger guard enclosure of a differing weapon to retain thefirst base segment in position relative to the trigger of the weapon.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, relatively importantfeatures of the invention so that the detailed description thereof thatfollows may be better understood, and so that the present contributionto the art may be better appreciated. Other features of the presentinvention will become clearer from the following detailed description ofthe invention, taken with the accompanying drawings and claims, or maybe learned by the practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a remote triggering system in accordancewith an embodiment of the technology;

FIG. 2 is a side view of some portions of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a trigger and trigger guard enclosure of aweapon;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the weapon of FIG. 3, with an actuator and araised engagement shoulder of a base segment positioned within thetrigger guard enclosure;

FIG. 5 is a bottom, perspective view of a remote triggering systeminstalled on a weapon in accordance with an embodiment of thetechnology;

FIG. 6 is an opposing, top perspective view of the arrangement of FIG.5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a remote triggering system installed on aweapon in accordance with an embodiment of the technology;

FIG. 8 is a top view of a remote triggering system installed on a weaponin accordance with an embodiment of the technology;

FIG. 9 is a series of exploded views of various components of auniversal trigger assembly in accordance with embodiments of thetechnology; and

FIG. 10 is a side view of a kit having a series of base segments havingdiffering base plates attached thereto in accordance with an aspect ofthe technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it should beunderstood that this invention is not limited to the particularstructures, process steps, or materials disclosed herein, but isextended to equivalents thereof as would be recognized by those ofordinarily skill in the relevant arts. It should also be understood thatterminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describingparticular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting in anyway.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a” and “the” include plural referents,unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to a “controller” can, but does not necessarily, include oneor more of such controllers.

Definitions

In describing and claiming the present invention, the followingterminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forthbelow.

As used herein, the term “substantially” refers to the complete ornearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property,state, structure, item, or result. The exact allowable degree ofdeviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend upon thespecific context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completionwill be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and totalcompletion were obtained.

The use of “substantially” is equally applicable when used in a negativeconnotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action,characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result.

As used herein, the term “about” is used to provide flexibility to anumerical range endpoint by providing that a given value may be “alittle above” or “a little below” the endpoint.

Distances, angles, forces, weights, amounts, and other numerical datamay be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is to beunderstood that such a range format is used merely for convenience andbrevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to include not only thenumerical values explicitly recited as the limits of the range, but alsoto include all the individual numerical values or sub-ranges encompassedwithin that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is explicitlyrecited.

As an illustration, a numerical range of “about 1 inch to about 5inches” should be interpreted to include not only the explicitly recitedvalues of about 1 inch to about 5 inches, but also include individualvalues and sub-ranges within the indicated range. This same principleapplies to ranges reciting only one numerical value and should applyregardless of the breadth of the range or the characteristics beingdescribed.

The Invention

The present technology generally provides systems and methods that canbe utilized to retrofit the triggering or firing mechanism of aconventional weapon to allow remote firing or triggering of the weapon.Systems in accordance with the present technology generally include asmall, electromechanical device that can be easily attached to thetrigger area of a weapon, thereby converting it into a “fire-by-wire”weapon, which can be operated remotely. The present system can include aGlobal Positioning System (“GPS”) receiver and/or an Inertial NavigationUnit (“INU”), which allow for additional functionality to be provided bythe system.

Remote Access

The present system can provide a mechanism for remotely actuating theweapon trigger, allowing the remote use of the weapon mounted on amanned or unmanned vehicle, or mounted in a manned or unmannedemplacement.

Remote actuation can be accomplished in a variety of manners, includingthe following electrical “fire-by-wire” methods:

1. Dry contacts

2. Serial data stream

3. Internet UDP (user datagram packets)

Such mechanisms can be powered, operated and associated with the presenttechnology in a variety of manners appreciable by one of ordinary skillin the art having possession of this disclosure.

Reduce/Slow Human Access

Because the universal trigger of the present technology can be fittedand locked to the trigger area of the weapon, it also serves as atrigger lock, securing the trigger environment against access byunwanted personnel. While an enemy combatant may physically gain accessto the weapon, the locked universal trigger will prevent access to thetrigger and therefore prevent the enemy from firing the weapon. Even inthe event an enemy combatant may forcibly remove the present universaltrigger, such removal will generally take considerable time, will likelyrequire tools, and may result in noise detectable by friendly troops.

Visually Indicates Weapon is Safe

When the present universal trigger is fitted and locked to the triggerarea of the weapon, an optional safety mechanism may be employed. Thesafety lock thumbscrew can include a red, plastic head, which can bescrewed into the universal trigger. When so affixed, the thumbscrewshaft passes behind the weapon trigger, and positively prevents itsactuation. Because its red head is visible on the weapon, it can beeasily seen in the field that it is installed, and allows quickconfirmation of the safety status of the weapon. Thus, in someembodiments, if the red thumbscrew is visible, the weapon cannot befired.

Weapon is Unprepared and Unmodified

Generally speaking, once the universal trigger has been fitted to anyweapon of a target weapon class, it may be installed on any specific,individual weapon of that class. The weapon generally does not need tobe modified or otherwise prepared in any manner. When the universaltrigger is removed from the specific weapon, the weapon is completelyunmodified by Universal Trigger and can be operated as usual.

Proof of Remote Firing

When equipped with the optional INU, the universal trigger can detectthe weapon recoil upon firing, and thereby provide positive confirmationthat the weapon has discharged.

Proof of Weapon Movement

When equipped with the optional GPS receiver, the universal trigger canperiodically transmit its GPS location, or respond to a remote querywith its current GPS location. In either case, the remote operatingsoftware can detect that the weapon has been moved and can aid inlocating the weapon.

Proof of Weapon Handling

When equipped with the optional INU, the universal trigger can detectthe weapon being handled as its orientation changes, and thereby providenotification that the weapon has been removed from a temporary orpermanent fixed mount.

Configurable for Multiple Weapon Classes

The mechanical design of the Universal Trigger can be easily adapted tonew weapons classes. While the main portion of the design remainssubstantially constant, the following properties can be configured toeach weapon class:

-   -   Fitment to trigger guard    -   Placement of Safety Lock Thumbscrew to trigger

The software design of the universal trigger is also easily adapted tonew weapons classes. The embedded software can include pre-flashedcalibrations for all known weapons, which may be configured using theserial data stream or UDP data packets.

Enabler for Additional Technologies

The universal trigger can enable additional technologies, such asposting an unmanned weapon in the field, and remotely firing it upondesired conditions.

Mechanical Construction

The body of the assembly can include a small standoff, placing the mainportion of the body away from the left side of the weapon. This allowsthe user to manually access weapon controls such as safety, rate offire, etc. The right side of the body can be configured so as to notinterfere at all with weapon access.

The body can attach to the weapon over the trigger guard using a springmechanism. This design allows the universal trigger to fit to allindividual weapons securely while allowing variances due tomanufacturing tolerances, in both the weapon and the universal trigger

In one aspect, the left cover can be formed from plastic so that theuniversal trigger can receive GPS and radio signals.

Mechanical Components

The body can be machined almost entirely from aluminum, with additionalparts of steel. The body can include:

-   -   Servo to actuate trigger    -   Mechanism to support Safety Lock Thumbscrew    -   Single circuit board        -   Plug-in daughter board—GPS        -   Plug-in daughter board—INU    -   Military electrical connector        -   Power input (optional)        -   Serial data link—RS-232    -   Power-Over-Ethernet connector        -   Ethernet connection        -   Power supply (optional)

Electrical Construction

The aluminum body can contain a single circuit board, which can send andreceive data on the serial or UDP stream. This can ensure the UniversalTrigger transitions correctly between states, and provides data from theGPS and INU systems to the remote operator.

The main motherboard can carry two optional daughter boards, one for GPSand a second with an INU.

Electrical Interface

The base segments that form the body can contain two or more electricalconnections:

-   -   an internal RJ-45 female connector, to which may be connected        either a        -   male Ethernet connector, or        -   male Power-Over-Ethernet connector.    -   an external “Electrical Interface Connector,” which can include        a metal military connector, containing pins for each of the        following        -   power, nominally 48 VDC        -   serial RS-232        -   dry contact inputs

Command Interface

In one aspect, there are three ways to command the universal trigger tochange its state and actuate the trigger:

-   -   Dry contacts (no safety procedure)    -   Serial interface, ASCII command line    -   Ethernet with UDP, or telnet to command line

Testing

Applicability to weapon classes: the universal trigger has been designedto fit to several classes of weapons. These include, without limitation,the HK IAR M27, the M16, the M4, the P90, and others.

In accordance with more detailed aspects of the technology, the figuresgenerally illustrate a remotely fireable weapons system that can includea weapon (10 in FIGS. 3-8) that can include a trigger 12 operable tofire the weapon when depressed. A trigger guard enclosure 14 can atleast partially enclose the trigger. It is noted that the weapons andtriggers and trigger guards illustrated in the figures are showngenerically: the features shown do not necessarily align with anyparticular class of weapon, nor are all components of the weaponsillustrated. The trigger guard and trigger guard enclosureconfigurations shown are exemplary: variations from these are expectedfrom one weapon class to another.

The technology can also include a triggering system, shown generally at16 in FIGS. 1 and 2. The triggering system can be carried by the weaponand can include a first 18 and second 20 base segment. The base segmentscan, in one embodiment, be positioned on opposing sides of and therebyadjacent to the trigger guard enclosure of the weapon. In the examplesshown, the second base segment can include at least one actuator (22 ain FIGS. 4 and 22 b in FIG. 10). The actuator can be carried by thefirst base segment and can be operable to mechanically engage a forwardportion of the trigger and depress the trigger sufficiently to fire theweapon.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the actuator 22 a is rotatable. Whenactivated and powered, the actuator rotates (clockwise in the example)and thereby causes the trigger to be depressed and fire the weapon. Inthe example shown in FIG. 10, the actuator slides relative to the basesegment, but otherwise interacts with the trigger in the same manner.Note that, in most cases, once the triggering system is installed on theweapon, the actuator is not visible, as it is hidden from view by thesecond base segment 20. The installation shown in FIG. 4 is only apartial installation: the system would not function properly at thisstage of installation.

One of the base segments can carry at least one wireless controller,shown schematically 24 in first base segment 18 of FIG. 9. The wirelesscontroller can be operable to receive a signal from a control systemremote from the weapon, which then causes the actuator 22 a, 22 b tomove, resulting in the weapon firing. The wireless controller can be anyof a variety of such known devices, as can the control system, as wouldbe readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art havingpossession of this disclosure.

One or both of the first 18 and second 20 base segments can include araised engagement shoulder 26. In the examples shown in the figures, thefirst base segment includes this feature. The raised engagement shouldercan be specifically sized and shaped such that it can be positioned atleast partially within the trigger guard enclosure 14 to retain thefirst base segment in position relative to the trigger. Thus, as will beappreciated from FIG. 4, the raised engagement shoulder includes anouter periphery 28. At least a portion of this outer periphery cancorrespond in shape to an inner periphery 30 of the trigger guardenclosure. Due to the fit of the one within the other, the first basesegment is prevented from rotating relative to the weapon when theraised engagement shoulder of the first base segment is fitted withinthe trigger guard enclosure.

As mentioned previously, the triggering system 16 is shown onlypartially installed in the condition illustrated in FIG. 6. In thisexample, the first base segment 18 is installed such that the raisedengagement shoulder 26 is positioned within the trigger guard 14. Inthis example, however, the second base segment 20 is not yet installed.Generally, the second base segment includes a lock extension (32 in FIG.2) that extends through the trigger guard enclosure 14 and engages alock opening (34 in FIG. 4) in the first base segment. Once so engaged,the two base segments are firmly held in position, with the triggerguard enclosure “sandwiched” between them. In this manner, the first 18and second 20 base segments provide a mechanical barrier along bothsides of the trigger enclosure 14 to prevent access to the trigger by auser. The two can be locked into this position via key 36 which can befit within keyhole 38 (FIG. 5, for example) to lock the extension 32into the first base segment.

In one aspect of the technology, the actuator 22 engages a front portionof the trigger, and the system can further include a safety trigger lock40 attachable to at least one of the first and second base segments, thesafety trigger lock that can be positioned behind a rear portion of thetrigger. In this manner, the safety trigger lock prevents depression ofthe trigger by the actuator. In the examples shown, the trigger lockthreadably engages the second base segment 20 through opening 42 (FIG.5). Once fully threaded therein, the end of the trigger lock ispositioned behind the trigger such that the trigger is mechanically, inthis case, prevented from depressing.

In one embodiment, the safety trigger lock 40 can include a head portion44 (FIG. 7) that is clearly visible outside of the at least one of thefirst or second base segments. This can serve as a visible indication ofa locked condition of the weapon: the weapon can be viewed from afarand, if the head portion is visible, can serve as an indication that theweapon is safe. The head portion can be formed, for example, from apolymer material and can be red, orange, yellow, white, or other colorthat contrasts sharply with the color of the second base segment 20.

The present technology can be utilized to provide a system or kit forconfiguring a variety of different weapon classes with remote firingcapabilities. Each of these hand-held weapons can include a distinctlysized and shaped trigger and a distinctly sized and shaped trigger guardenclosure. The kit can include a triggering system as discussed aboveand can also include a plurality of base plates that can each beattachable to a base segment. For example, in the array depicted in FIG.10, three separate base segments 18 are provided, each with a uniquebase plate 26 a, 26 b, 26 c. While three base segments are shown, eachof the base plates can be removably attached to a base segment, so thatany one base segment can be used for any one base plate. The base platescan be sized and shaped to fit snugly within a trigger guard enclosureof a variety of weapons.

The base plates can be attached to the base segment in a variety ofmanners. In the leftmost example shown in FIG. 10, the baseplate isattached via three screws 46. In other examples, the baseplates caninclude a magnetic interface with the base segment, so that thebaseplate can be very quickly attached to and removed from a basesegment.

In addition to the structure outlined above, the present technology alsoprovides various methods of configuring, installing, operating andmaintaining remote triggering systems. In one example, a method ofretrofitting a weapon to allow remote triggering of the weapon isprovided. The method can include obtaining a weapon having a triggeroperable to fire the weapon when depressed, and a trigger guardenclosure at least partially enclosing the trigger; and associating atriggering system with the weapon. The triggering system can including:a first and second base segment, positioned on adjacent sides of thetrigger guard enclosure; at least one actuator, carried by one of thefirst or second base segments, the actuator operable to mechanicallyengage a forward portion of the trigger and move the triggersufficiently to fire the weapon; and at least one wireless controller,operable to actuate the actuator, the wireless controller beingaccessible by a control system remote from the weapon. The method canfurther include activating the at least one wireless controller with thecontrol system to cause the actuator to depress the trigger to fire theweapon.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are onlyillustrative of the application of the principles of the presentinvention. Numerous modifications and alternative arrangements may bedevised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spiritand scope of the present invention and the appended claims are intendedto cover such modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the presentinvention has been described above with particularity and detail inconnection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical andpreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications, including, butnot limited to, variations in size, materials, shape, form, function andmanner of operation, assembly and use may be made without departing fromthe principles and concepts set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A remotely fireable weapons system, comprising: aweapon, including a trigger operable to fire the weapon when depressed,and a trigger guard enclosure at least partially enclosing the trigger;a triggering system, carried by the weapon, the triggering systemincluding: a first base segment, positioned adjacent the trigger guardenclosure of the weapon; at least one actuator, carried by the firstbase segment, the actuator operable to mechanically engage a forwardportion of the trigger and depress the trigger sufficiently to fire theweapon; and at least one wireless controller, operable to actuate theactuator, the wireless controller being accessible by a control systemremote from the weapon.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first basesegment includes a raised engagement shoulder positioned at leastpartially within the trigger guard enclosure to retain the first basesegment in position relative to the trigger.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the raised engagement shoulder includes an outer periphery, atleast a portion of which corresponds in shape to an inner periphery ofthe trigger guard enclosure.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein theactuator is rotatable relative to the first base segment.
 5. The systemof claim 1, wherein the actuator is linearly moveable to the first basesegment.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second basesegment coupled to first base segment through the trigger guardenclosure of the weapon.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the first andsecond base segments provide a mechanical barrier along both sides ofthe trigger enclosure to prevent access to the trigger by a user.
 8. Thesystem of claim 6, wherein the actuator engages a front portion of thetrigger, and further comprising a safety trigger lock attachable to atleast one of the first and second base segments, the safety trigger lockpositioned behind a rear portion of the trigger to prevent depression ofthe trigger.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the safety trigger lockincludes a head portion visible outside of the at least one of the firstor second base segments to serve as a visible indication of a lockedcondition of the weapon.
 10. The system of claim 6, further comprisingan inertial navigation unit (“INU”), carried by one of the first basesegment or the second base segment, the INU operable to detect movementof the weapon.
 11. The system of claim 6, further comprising a globalpositioning system (“GPS”) unit, carried by one of the first basesegment or the second base segment, the GPS unit operable to provideinformation relating to the position of the weapon.
 12. A method ofretrofitting a weapon to allow remote triggering of the weapon,comprising: obtaining a weapon having a trigger operable to fire theweapon when depressed, and a trigger guard enclosure at least partiallyenclosing the trigger; associating a triggering system with the weapon,the triggering system including: a first and second base segment,positioned on adjacent sides of the trigger guard enclosure; at leastone actuator, carried by one of the first or second base segments, theactuator operable to mechanically engage a forward portion of thetrigger and move the trigger sufficiently to fire the weapon; and atleast one wireless controller, operable to actuate the actuator, thewireless controller being accessible by a control system remote from theweapon; and activating the at least one wireless controller with thecontrol system to cause the actuator to depress the trigger to fire theweapon.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the actuator rotatesrelative to at least one of the first and second base segments todepress the trigger.
 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the actuatormoves linearly relative to at least one of the first and second basesegments to depress the trigger.
 15. The method of claim 12, furthercomprising placing the weapon into a safe condition by installing asafety trigger lock through at least one of the first and second basesegments, the trigger lock being thereby positioned behind a rearportion of the trigger to prevent depression of the trigger.
 16. Themethod of claim 12, wherein the triggering system includes one or moreof an inertial navigation unit (“INU”) and a global positioning system(“GPS”) unit, and further comprising providing data from the INU or theGPS to the control system to provide information relating to movement orposition of the weapon to the control system.
 17. A kit for allowingretrofitting of a variety of hand-held weapons into remotely fireableweapons, each of the hand-held weapons including a trigger and a triggerguard enclosure at least partially enclosing the trigger, the kitcomprising: a triggering system, configured to be attached to a weaponto allow remote triggering of the weapon, the triggering systemincluding: a first base segment, positionable adjacent the trigger guardenclosure of the weapon; at least one actuator, carried by the firstbase segment, the actuator operable to mechanically engage a forwardportion of the trigger and depress the trigger sufficiently to fire theweapon; and at least one wireless controller, operable to actuate theactuator, the wireless controller being accessible by a control systemremote from the weapon; and a plurality of base plates, attachable tothe first base segment, each of the plurality of base plates including adiffering raised engagement shoulder, each of the raised engagementshoulders being configured to be fitted at least partially within atrigger guard enclosure of a differing weapon to retain the first basesegment in position relative to the trigger of the weapon.
 18. The kitof claim 17, wherein the raised engagement shoulder of each base plateincludes a different outer periphery, at least a portion of whichcorresponds in shape to an inner periphery of a trigger guard enclosureof a weapon.
 19. The kit of claim 17, wherein the actuator is rotatablerelative to the first base segment.
 20. The kit of claim 17, wherein theactuator is linearly moveable to the first base segment.